Game



Jan. 17, 1928. r 1,656,272

J. EKSTEIN GAME Filed F ..l. 1 26 3 Sheets-Sheet l Jan. 17, 1928. 1,656,272

J. EKSTEXN GAME 3 Sheets-$heet 2 Filed Feb. 1. 1926 BYM/Z7%K ATTORNEY.

Jan. 17, 1928.

J. EKSTEIN GAME Filed Feb. 1. 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATiORN'EY.

Patented Jan. 17,1928.

- UNITED STATES JOSEPH EKSTEIN, F NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO NEW YORK.

LOUIS MARX, or BROOKLYN,

GAME.

1 Application filed February 1, 1926. Serial No. 85,080.

This invention relates to a novel and improved game, and more particularly to an improvement upon a game disclosed and claimedin my Patent No.

a December 29, 1925. j j j The primary object of my invention is to devise a game which shall prove attractive and interesting to children. This object I achieve by providing an apparatus in having a plurality of figures each of which may represent a larger object which is normally in motion. This object maybe either animate or not; The game is also rendered of interest because of the movement of the aforesaid figures, and this movementI design tocreate uncertainty in the result of the game, and 3 also enough difiiculty to make necessary the practice of, a considerable amount of skill in playing the game. "At the same time the amount ofskill required is not beyond theability of achild.

Further objects will be apparent as the description is read in connection with the accompanying drawings in which 26 Figure 1 is a side elevation ofone form which my invention may take Figure 2 is a plan view of the same euibodiment as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3--3.of

F Fi ure 2.

*igure4 is a section on the line 44 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is an elevation of a portion of another form of my inventiom Figure'G is an elevation showing a different form of chute which may be employed in playing my game. I j

Figure 7 is a side elevation of still another formwhich my invention may take.

Figure 8 is a section on the line 88 of Figure 7. I f r Figure 9 is an elevation of still another embodiment of my invention Figure.10 is a plan view of the embodiment shown in Figure 9. 1

Figure 11- is a section on the line 1111 of Figure 9. H 1

Referring now to the drawings in detail and particularly to Figures 1 to ,4 incluin a game comprising a base 1 upon which is supported a, chute 2. The chute is inclined downwardly and adjacent the lower or dischargefend 3 thereof is mounted a turn table 4. This turn table is rotatably 1,567,251 issued sive I haveshown my invention as embodied.

supported on the base and operated by any suitable motor such as the clockwork 5, herein shown as com rising a coil spring 6 actuating a train 0 gearing 7, which is controlled by a suitable stop 8. The spring is wound by a suitable key 9. table is rotated by means of a spur wheel 10, the teeth ofwhich engage in the perforations of a perforated disc 11 on the bottom of the turn table, as best shown in Figures 3 and 4.

Pivotally mounted on the turntable is a plurality of figures 12 herein illustrated as bull dogs, although I contemplate employing not only simulations of animate objects but also inanimate objects, such as automobiles or trains. I prefer, however, to use figures which shall suggest an object which is normally in motion, such as an animal or vehicle. The objects are supported on suitable plates 13 which are hinged to the turn table andv are provided on their under sides with camflprojections 14 adapted to engage a cam 15 fixed. on the base.

This cam is provided with the upwardly inclined surface 16 terminating in the relatively level surface 17 and which in turn terminatesin the abrupt shoulder 18. v

In theoperation of this embodiment of my invention the motor is wound by means of the key 9, the stop 8 being engaged with the gear train 7 so as to prevent movement of the turn table. Upon release of the stop the table rotates and then the figures 12 are carried successively into alignment with the chute 2 atthe discharge end. Each fi ure is provided with a pocket 19 indicated in this embodiment as the mouth of the figure, and this pocket is adapted to receive a game piece 20, which game piece may be rolled down the chute 2: As the tablerotates theprojection 14 engages the cam 15, and consequently the plate 13' and the figure thereon is raised. The pockets are so designed that the pockets 19 of the figures are brou ht into exact alignmentwith the chutes 2, in fact .registering with the chute 2 for an instant duringtherotation of the turn table. As

.60 The turn the projection 14 comes to the shoulder 18,

the figure is given an abrupt downward movement due to its weight, and the game piece is discharged into a, suitable receptacle 21. The method of play is obvious. The

game piece 20 is started from the position shown in Figure 2-and permitted to roll or slide down the chute 2 as the turn table rotates. If the player is successful enough, the piece will be received within one of the pockets 19 and then discharged into the receptacle 21. If not successful in his endeavors, the game piece will miss the pocket. The number of pieces in the receptacle furnishes a means of counting, and for this purpose each player may be assigned a separate color of game piece, if desired.

In Figure I have illustrated another embodiment of my invention in which the turn table 21 is mounted to rotate about a horizontal axis instead of a vertical one, as in the form shown in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive. Mounted on this turn table is a plurality of figures each of which is rigidly secured to the table, as by a bracket to be descri ed later.

23. The table is secured to the shaft 2- which is journaled in the housing 2: enclosing a suitable clockwork or other motor. which maybe controlled by the key 26 and stop 27, in the usual manner. The operation of this form is essentially the same as the first described operation. Each figure is provided with a pocket to receive a garlic piece which may be rolled or otherwise propelled down a chute 28. The turntable may rotate in either direction, but preferably in that indicated by the arrow, which will result in the figures discharging the game pieces in a natural, life-like manner into a suitable receptacle in case the pieces are received in the pockets.

In Figure 6 I have shown a form of chute which maybe used with the various embodiments of invention already described or a spiral pathway 29, into the uoper end of which a game piece is deposited, and from the lower end of which the piece is discharged. A figure having a pocket 30 is indicated as disposed in position to receive a game piece, it being understood that this pocket may be brought to this position by any of the means set forth in this application, and that this chute may be used with the form shown in Figures 9, 10 and 11, in

which the figures do not contain pockets.

This form'of chute adds greatly to the interest of the game by increasing the uncertainty of the result and because it requires added skill to correctly judge the time that it will take for a game piece to travel the length of the chute.

In the form shown in Figures 7 and 8,

the turntable is omitted, and only one figure 31 is used. This figure is mounted on a late 32 hinged on a base 33, which may be 1D the form of a plate, and beneath which is journaled a shaft 34 operated by a suitable clockwork or other motor 35, and carrying 'a cam 96 which is adapted to project through a slot 1n the plate forming the base 33 and engage the bottom of the plate By this means the figure is raised and lowered as This chute comprises the motor is operated, so as to bring the pocket 37 into and out of registry with the end of the chute 38, down which a game piece may be propelled by any suitable means.

In Figures 9, 10 and 11 is shown still another embodiment of my invention, in which the shaft 39 of the motor 40 is provided with a plurality of arms 41, each having on the end thereof a figure 42, preferably simulating an object, animate. or otherwise, which could act upon a game piece, passing from the chute 43 to the receptacle 44. For example, I have shown these figures as comprising simulations of polo players, each with a club which could strike a game piece. This simulation adds to the interest of the game for children who can imagine that each player is apt to hit the game piece if they are not successful in getting it in the pocket. The figures are spaced apart a sufficient distance to permit a game piece to pass therebetween as the shaft rotates. The channel 44 may beconsidered as the polo goal in the embodiment shown wherein the figures are simulations of polo players on horses. Then the game is obviously to get the game piece into the goal. The result is a very interesting game and one which reuires considerable skill to play. In this :orm the channel 44 forms the pocket into which it is desired to project the game piece. The pocket isintermittently covered and uncovered by means of the figures 42 which pass in front thereof.

In this form of my invention I have shown a chute which is preferably wavy in form, as shown'in Figure 9, and which results in a path for the game piece which is irregular or wavyf Through this )ath a game piece may be propelled by a sultable projectorv 45,

here shownas comprising a spring 46 suspended from a frame 47 and having a nose 48 and a handle 49. When the spring is retracted by the handle and is then released, the nose will strike the gamepiece 50 and propel it toward the pocket formed by the channel 44. Obviousl this arrangement adds to the interest 0 the game and also requires skill in playing because of the fact that, in order to pass a game piece between the figures 42, the player must gage the speed at which the figures 42 are moving and must also take into account the irregular pathway and the force exerted by the projector. This form of chute and projector either together or separately may be employed withv the other forms of my invention as well as with the form shown in Figures 9 and 10. I

From the above it will be apparent that I have provided a game device which is extremely interesting particularly to children and which is capable of being made at a low cost but nevertheless of rugged character and which is of simple design employing few parts and those ofa characterwhich are not apt to getout'of order. r a

limit "claims.

I; am aware that various changes ma be made in the details of my IIIVGIltlOIl as 1 his- I claim: a i "1. A game comprising a chute through which a game piece-is adapted to pass, a pocket adapted to receive said game p end of saidchute. 2. A' game comprising a chute through i which a game piece is adapted to pass, a

pocket adapted to receive said game piece, means to rotatesaid pocket past the end of "said chute, and means to reciprocate said tively and instantaneously into registrywith the end of said chute.

4. A game comprising a "chute through which a game piece is adapted to pass, a pocket adaptedto receivesaid gamepiece, means to reciprocate said pocket in respect to the end of said chute, and means to discharge a game piece from said pocket;

5. A game comprising a chute through which a game piece is adapted to pass, a turn table adjacent the end of said chute, a pocket mounted on said turn table, means to reciprocate said pocket in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of said turn table, said rotation and reciprocation bringing said pocket instantaneously into registry with the end of said chute, and means to discharge a game piece from said pocket.

6. A game comprising a chute through which a game piece is adapted to pass, a pocket adapted to receive said game piece, and means to cause relative reciprocation between said pocket and the end of said chute.

7. A game comprising a chute through which a game piece is adapted to pass, a figure simulating amoving object, a pocket associated therewith, and means to cause relative reciprocation between said pocket and the end of said chute, said reciprocation causing said pocket to register instantane ously with the end of said chute.

8. A game comprising a chute through which a game piece is ada ted to pass, a

turn table adjacent the end 0 said chute, one

iece,

or more figures hinged on said turn table and each having apocket associated therewith, means to rotatesaid turn table, and -means to movesaid figures 'ontheir hinges. trated and describedyand Ido not intend to myself except as by the appended 9 .ygame comprising a chute through which a game piece is adapted to pass, a

:turn table adjacent the end'of-sa-id chute, one oranore figures hinged on said turn table and each having a pocketassociated therewith, means to rotate said turn table,iand meansto move said figures on their hinges, said rotation and movement bringing said pockets consecutively and instantaneously into re istry with the end of said chute.

10, game comprising a chute through which-a game piece is adapted to pass, a turn table adjacent the end of said chute, a plurality of figures hinged on said turn table, a

stationary cam, a cam projection on each figure adapted to cooperate WliJh said cam, and

means to rotate said turn table, said rotation brmgmg said projections consecutively into engagement with said cam.

11. A game comprising a chute through which a game piece is adapted to pass, a turn table adjacent theend of said chute, a plurality of figures hinged on said turn table, a stationary cam, a cam projection on each figure adapted to cooperate with said cam, and means to rotate said turn table, said rotation bringing said projections consecutively into engagement with said cam, said cam ending in a shoulder and a rece tacledisposed adjacent said shoulder for t e purpose set forth.

12. A game comprising a chute, a hinged figure adjacent the end of said chute, a pocket associated with said figure and means to reciprocate said figure on its hinge to brin said pocket into registry with the end of said chute.

13. A game comprising a chute, a hinged figure adjacent the end of said chute and having a pocket therein adapted to receive a game piece discharged fromsaid chute, and means to reciprocate said figure on its hinge for receiving said game piece and for discharging the same.

14. A game comprising a chute through which a game piece is adapted to pass, a turn table adjacent the end of said chute, a pocket mounted on said turn table, rotation of said turntable bringing said pocket into registry with the end of said chute, and means for discharging the game piece from said pocket when received thereby.

15. A game comprising a chute through which a game piece is adapted to pass, a turn table adjacent the end of said chute, a pocket movably mounted on said turn table, rotation of said turn table bringing said pocket into registry with the end of said chute, and means for moving said pocket on said turn table for discharging the ame piece from said pocket when received t ereby.

16. A game comprising a chute through i which a game piece is adapted to pass, a turn table adjacent the end of. said chute, a lurality of pockets mounted on said turn-ta le, rotation of said turn, table bringing said pockets-consecutively into registry with the end of said chute, and means for discharging the game piece from the is movable into registry with the end of said chute when said figure is moved for receivin and holding the game piece discharge throughthe chute, and means for discharging the game piece from said pocket when received thereby.

v 18 A game comprising a chute through which a game piece is adapted to pass, a figure movably mounted adjacent the end of said chute, said figure having a pocket movable into and out of registry with the end of said chute when said figure is moved, and means for moving said figure to position the cket to receive and hold the game piece ischarged through the chute and then to discharge the ame piece from said pocket when received t ereby. I p

19. A game comprising a chute throu h which a game piece is adapted to ass, 'a evice movably mounted adjacent t e end of said chute, said device having a ocket movable into and out of registry wit 1 the end of said chute when said device is moved, and means for moving said device to position the pocket to first receive and hold the game piece discharged through the chute and to then discharge the game piece from said pocket when received thereby.

.In testimon whereof, I have aflixed my signature to t 's specification.

JOSEPH EKSTEIN. 

